For as long as roofs have existed, gutters have been an integral part of a normal roofing structure. The main purpose of gutters is to collect and siphon water away from the house and the ground in its immediate vicinity. During heavy rainfall, water has been known to erode the integrity of the roof and the earth, causing structural damage and an unstable foundation. Gutters that are constantly cleaned and serviced will be able to prevent these problems from occurring. However, with unpredictable weather conditions and the periodic use of low quality materials, homeowners are finding it more and more necessary to employ the services of roofing businesses.

gutters

When to Replace or Repair Gutters

Generally speaking, with the right materials and maintenance work, gutter systems can easily last up for to 30 years. This will hold especially true if homeowners make the time and effort to do regular cleanings.

When it comes to the question of making repair, this can be easily done by assessing the extent of damage. If there are only one or two spots that are in need of repairs, then they can be easily fixed without bringing in a roofer.

However, if any of the following problems are visible in your gutter – blockages, water leakages, sagging and poor pitch – then it may be high-time to bring in professionals such as the roofing companies around Menlo Park, CA.

Blockages are characterized by water pooling near your foundation and the formation of water marks under your gutters. Blockages are most often caused by an excessive amount of leaves. The easiest way to get rid of the blockage is to clean them out in order to stop the overflow. Apart from the vertically lined gutters, remember to clear out the downspout as well.

If your gutters are unblocked but there is water escaping, the most likely problem will be leakages. Oftentimes, leaks occur when the junctions between each gutter-section loosen. The simplest way to fix this problem is to re-seal them. Unfortunately, once a crack or weak-spot is identified, chances are it will require constant re-sealing as time wears on.

Gutter sag occurs when the gutters are pulling away from the house. The reasons for this could be faulty hardware, a glut of debris in the gutter, weather conditions or wear-and-tear caused by propping ladders up against the gutters. The easiest way to get rid of this problem is to change the entire section of gutter completely to prevent additional warping.

Gutters are arranged in a way that creates a downslope that allows water and small debris to flow towards the downspout. If you find pools of water in your gutter when there are no blockages, chances are they are misaligned and thus, have poor pitch. Fixing this is delicate work and may require the skills and talent of a professional as they have to be laid at a precise angle consistently along lengthy expanses.

Conclusively, it is important to be able to identify these problems. Regardless of how confident you feel about repairing these problems yourself, always employ professionals who can offer quality roofing services near Sunnyvale, CA. They will be able to ensure that your gutter system remains strong and sturdy for a long time to come.

Sources:

Gutter Installation and Repair, www.angieslist.com

Gutter Installation, www.homedepot.com